Inspirational Archives - Page 5 of 7

Turning Point

June 2, 2017 By Erin Tracy, Medical Qi Gong and Health Coaching

A few years ago, I needed a Turning Point. I struggled with moderate-to-severe digestive issues, chronic pain, insomnia, constant skin rashes, and high blood pressure. I was not yet 40 years old. Joy was missing from my life – however I was in such a constant state of anxiety and overwhelm, I didn’t even know that joy was missing. I had martyr-like tendencies where I stayed ruffled, felt unappreciated, and a claimed myself a victim of circumstance.

Somewhere in the back of mind, deep in my heart, was this truth.

I have recently been reconnected to it through one of my teachers, Qi Gong Master Ou.

Emptied, free from antipathy

Deeply, quietly humble

Steady, unwavering calm

So that I May Be Filled with Unconditional Love

This wisdom above, a common sentiment from many different faiths, was something that I have strived my entire life to embody. However, as my stress level was through the roof, my health was declining, and a constant state of “not enough” pervaded all that I did, I couldn’t connect to this sentiment which I first learned through my own faith, Christianity.

*Empty – free from antipathy; deeply, quietly, humble; steady unwavering calm.*

I knew that I needed to find ways to manage the stress of my family life, my health, and being self-employed in a family business.

I understood that I needed to re-connect to calm with an open and tolerant heart for what I was experiencing. I longed for a way to enjoy life again and to feel well. Although I sought guidance, experienced many approaches, and learned many tools, (and they helped a little), my health concerns and anxiety continued to plague me.

Then, in March 2012, My Turning Point.

I learned Pangu Shengong Foundational Qi Cultivation Moving Form Qi Gong from Qi Gong Master Wen Wei Ou. This highly effective, efficient, and balncing practice of energy cultivation, woke up some forgotten part of me. Immediately, I felt hope returning. My blood pressure regulated within two weeks. Other health issues began to improve. My ability to relax and enjoy moments in life returned. Spiritual teachings began to make sense and my faith (that I didn’t know I had lost) was found again.

I know now that the reason that I could not experience this level of calm before, was that I didn’t possess enough foundational energy. I was quite literally depleted and out of balance.

The very interesting, curious, and fairly unique thing about this Qi Gong practice is that Pangu Shengong foundational Moving Form has this mantra/prayer/password at its core:

Take Kindness and Benevolence as Basis; Take Frankness and Friendliness to Heart.

This idea of kindness and unconditional love begins to strengthen and heal the heart and soul beyond just the physical body. While I understand that other Qi Gong methods can help support and heal the physical body, the power behind the central tenet cannot be underestimated. It is one of the many aspects of Pangu Shengong Moving Form Qi Gong that allows it to be so immediately helpful and settling for the practitioner.

I am in the best health of my life. I am the happiest I can ever remember being. I sleep well and wake up rested. I have enough energy to do the things I choose to do in a day. While life still has its stressors, I allow the circumstances of the moment. Generally, I have the peace of mind to “roll with things” yet diligently persevere with my calling and responsibilities.

Pangu Shengong is a gift that I am thankful for every day.

It continues to strengthen me and allow me to deeply learn and integrate so that I can support others.

I hope you will take advantage of this upcoming opportunity as Master Ou returns to Raleigh this month. Here’s the registration page.

Please contact me if you are unsure which classes are best for you.

Reconnect to Joy

May 2, 2017 By Erin Tracy, Medical Qi Gong and Health Coaching

Do the stories in your head ever sound like this?

“I’ll have some peace when “event y” happens (or when “event z” stops happening)”
“Everything would be fine if I had willpower to stop “behavior x”.
“There is not enough time/energy/money to “outcome w.”

In my own life when I am aware that these old patterns resurface, they coincide with less connection to joy; less connection present in the moment. Interrupting those patterns is essential for wellness and for activating the momentum again.

So how do we interrupt the patterns and reconnect to joy?

1. Things Will Not Stay The Way They Are

First thing is to realize, that without a doubt, that things will not stay the way they are. Yes, this thing is happening \ in my head \ in my life \ in my body \ with a loved one \ that I do not like. Just like everything else in my life, I am clear that this situation is temporary. Find comfort in that. Perhaps doing so allows some room for surrender in the moment. Surrender is simply “relaxing into the present moment”.

2. Treat Myself Like A Beloved Friend

Second, make a conscious decision to treat myself like a beloved friend. Talk to myself like I would talk to and support someone I care deeply about. I am going to lovingly remind myself to choose Wisdom over Woe. Remind myself that it is always a choice to go into BLAME, REGRET, RESENTMENT – it is always a choice to make someone else responsible for my happiness. Real inner strength rises when we own the fact that we are responsible for our happiness.

3. Accept That I Am The Only Person I Truly Have Control Over

This leads to the third choice back towards joy: Get very clear that I am the only person that I truly have control over. So when I go into a state of blame, get hung up on what I deserve, or feel entitled to something, I am giving away my power. Instead, I will choose to take action with an open and benevolent heart. I will choose to be grateful for my blessings and challenges that help me to grow. I will be in celebration of the Great Full-ness of life.

YES.

By really connecting to this idea that I am doing the best I can in the moment, I allow the kindness for myself in. Truly. Powerfully. Pema Chodron describes this state, known as maitri in Buddhist teachings, as having unconditional friendship with oneself and then extending that warm heart to all others (or vice versa). When I can get back to that place of knowing that I am enough on this day, AND be truly Grateful for what is in my life (warts and all), connection to joy is RIGHT THERE if even in some small way. It never was disconnected really – only temporarily blocked.

It is not always EASY or PAINLESS to choose kindness As I learn, grow, mentor, and teach others how to suffer less and to heal deeply , I am clear that that this is how we make transformational progress. There are many ways to support transformational change and healing. Keep reading for a very unique and powerful upcoming opportunity to have more access kindness, unconditional love, and open heartedness for healing and a happier and healthier life.

Qi Gong Master Ou returns to Raleigh, June 16-19, 2017

Kindness and benevolence as basis;

Frankness and friendliness to heart.

These words are the foundation for the healing energy in Pangu Shengong, a simple yet profoundly effective, efficient and powerful set of Qi Gong exercises that can help the body, mind, spirit deeply heal. If you would like to learn more about how to cultivate energy for body, mind, and spirit that connects more fully to the sentiment in the lines above, please attend one or more of the various workshops or group healings offered June 16-19, 2017 when Qi Gong Master Ou, Wen Wei visits Raleigh.

Master Ou, Wen Wei visits Raleigh June 16-19, 2017

There are many opportunities all weekend for current and new students. Particularly, on Saturday, June 17 at 9:00am the Foundational Qi Cultivation (Moving Form) Qi Gong is scheduled. The group healings, Foundational Qi Cultivation Moving Form, and Pangu Yoga have no pre-requisites. If you have already learned the Moving Form (Foundational Qi Cultivation Qi Gong), please contact me so we can talk about what your next options could be. I am also certified to teach both the Moving and Non-Moving Forms of Pangu Shengong. I would love to talk to you more about how these practices have changed my life.

Letting Go: What Are You Carrying?

March 30, 2017 By Erin Tracy, Medical Qi Gong and Health Coaching

“I am letting go of that,” Powerful – especially when you can really mean it – actually do it. I first heard this story in Eckhart Tolle’s The New Earth.

Two monks were journeying together. At one point, their path encountered a stream with a swift current. On their bank was also a troubled young and beautiful woman dressed in fine silks. She clearly knew not to ask the monks for help, yet she was distressed about how to cross the stream without soiling her clothing.

The two monks glanced at each other briefly. It would mean breaking their vows to touch a woman.

In a swift motion, the older monk picked up the young woman, carried her across. and set her down on the other side.

The younger monk was stupefied. He couldn’t believe this older monk had just done this. Didn’t the older and more senior monk remember his vows? Their centuries-old customs? Stunned and indignant, he walked on in silence as an hour passed.

Two hours passed. After three hours, finally, the younger monk, too agitated to remain silent any longer, exclaimed, “How could you pick up the young woman? You know that we are not permitted to touch a woman!”

The senior monk stopped and looked at the junior monk and said, “My friend, I put the young woman down hours ago. Are you still carrying her?”

Often, I become aware that some unhelpful story loop is going around in my mind (i.e., the story contains judgement, perseverating, or is causing anxiety).

Often, I become aware that some unhelpful story loop is going around in my mind (i.e., the story contains judgement, perseverating, or is causing anxiety). If I am practicing being mindful, that unhelpful story loop might be interrupted with, “Are you still carrying her?” That question reminds me that I have a choice. So did the junior monk. So, too, did the senior monk.

The message in the vignette above is could ultimately be about letting go and continuing unencumbered on your journey.

However, there is much subtle wisdom in this story:

Chose humbleness and grace over your convictions.
Righteousness and indignation block elevating to a more open-hearted, more unconditionally loving place.
Rigidity can stand in the way of offering true compassion and grace.
Let go of past actions so that today’s progress is not impeded.
Stewing on the actions and decisions (of others and self) could mean an unpleasant journey to your destination.

Are their other bits of wisdom from the story? What speaks to you the most?

Is there an aspect of the story you did not consider at first?

I invite you to look at where you know you hold on to something that is impeding your progress in the present. When you have a practice of watching the mind, it can be a powerful starting point to stop the unhelpful thought patterns in their tracks. It is not always easy to do – I totally understand and honor that because I have been there.

With the right support and a substantive quantity and quality of energy in your physical body, you can “set her down safely on the other side of the stream” and continue on your journey.

What would it mean for your ability to enjoy life, to heal, to manage stress if you could let go of some story loop?

I invite you to schedule a Discovery Session with me to discover and articulate what your vision and goals are for your life and to consider what might be getting in your way. We can meet in person (Raleigh area if available) or talk over the phone. You don’t need to be local to participate in my programs and packages. If you can’t find a time that works, let me know.

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